[Phil1907 (OP)]

From the British Medical Journal
Is the usual decision to wheel out counsellors shortly after a traumatic event upheld by the scientific literature? A systematic review identified 25 suitable studies. The researchers found no difference between any intervention and usual care for individuals exposed to trauma, irrespective of their symptoms. For people with symptoms of post-traumatic stress, trauma focused cognitive behavioural therapy was more effective than a waiting list or supportive counselling (American Journal of Psychiatry 2009;166:293-301, doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2008.08040590).

[Chemistry4me]

Dang it! All those sessions wasted!

[Karen W.]

 Ah.. I think they do help from experience!

[Variola]

Measuring the immeasurable again, thats the joy of psychology.

I wonder what they class as 'usual care'.... presumably medical care/services and support of relatives.

You get good and bad counselors in the same way you get good and bad Doctors, policemen, scientists etc.
Some people will find a good counsellor and have a positive helpful experience, others will have the opposite. It's rather stating the obvious i know, but its not feasible to class counsellors as a profession as useless.

[dlorde]

What you need is a counsellor who can give trauma-focused CBT...

[Karen W.]

CBT???

[Karen W.]

I have a great Therapist right now.. she is wonderful!

[Chemistry4me]

I guess she means Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.

[Karen W.]

I should have known that but me brain was totally stumped.. I definitely need some cognitive therapy eh? LOL

[Chemistry4me]

[Karen W.]

You don't know... for shame! LOL..

[Phil1907 (OP)]

Some good - some bad?   Probably but from this report you'd have to conclude that most are pretty useless.

[Variola]

Some good - some bad?   Probably but from this report you'd have to conclude that most are pretty useless.

Not really. How can your measure how someone feels against how someone else feels??